Odom's long-time aide, Randal Johnson, said the former commissioner died Saturday morning at a Zachary hospital after having difficulty breathing. Odom had suffered from an array of health problems for several years.

Louisiana's longest-serving agriculture commissioner, Odom was on the job from 1980 until 2008. For years, he was one of Louisiana's most powerful elected officials.

He gave up his bid for an eighth term when he was forced into a runoff amid an ongoing criminal corruption case against him. The case was dismissed in 2009.

“Most notably and early on in his tenure, Odom combined all aspects of the agricultural industry under one department, making it more modern and operating more efficiently, and making it a model for other states,” said Mike Strain, commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture.

Before being elected commissioner, Odom had worked for the agriculture and forestry department since 1960.